GLENDALE, Calif. - December 14, 2009 - IHOP, one of America's favorite restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner, has announced plans to serve millions of free pancakes again next year in celebration of National Pancake Day on Tuesday, February 23, 2010.  Planned as a celebration of friends, family and community, IHOP hopes the program will raise $1.75 million for Children's Miracle Network, an international non-profit organization that raises funds for children's hospitals, and other worthy local causes.

2010 will mark IHOP's fifth year celebrating the national event and the company has set an ambitious goal to raise a cumulative $5 million for charity in the first five years of its free flapjack philanthropic effort.  More than 1,400 IHOP restaurants throughout the United States will once again invite guests to enjoy a free short stack of IHOP's signature buttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on National Pancake Day.  In return, IHOP guests are asked to donate what they would have paid for the free pancakes, or more, to the Children's Miracle Network hospital in their community, or another designated local cause.

"We are flipping for 'five in five' with our 2010 National Pancake Day campaign, and with our guests' generous support, plan to reach our goal of $5 million in five years," said Carolyn O'Keefe, IHOP's senior vice president, marketing. "IHOP's franchisees and guests have raised more than $3.25 million to support Children's Miracle Network and other local charities since we started our National Pancake Day in 2006.  The day has become a tradition for families and friends who wish to enjoy great food and great service while helping out a great cause."

Children's Miracle Network "Miracle Balloons" will be sold for $1 and $5 each and will be personalized and displayed at participating IHOP restaurants from February 1 through February 23, 2010.  Miracle Balloon sales offer guests another way to show their support of Children's Miracle Network and contribute to the National Pancake Day fundraising effort.

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Nov. 16, 2009 - Families will pay 4 percent less for Thanksgiving dinner this year, while receiving the same wholesome food provided by America's farmers, according to American Farm Bureau Federation's (AFBF) informal Thanksgiving Dinner Price Survey.  The 12 items in AFBF's Thanksgiving market basket dropped by an average of $1.70, the greatest year-to-year price reduction since 1991.

According to the survey, a hearty meal including turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, coffee and milk for 10 people will cost families an average of $42.91, or just $4.29 per person.  Together, lower prices for milk and turkey accounted for 80 percent of the decline in the cost of Thanksgiving dinner.  The price of a gallon of whole milk has come down 92 cents since last year, and a 16-pound turkey is 44 cents cheaper.  Iowa ranks 13th nationally in milk production and 10th in turkeys.

"Once again, we can be thankful for the affordability and wholesomeness of food produced in this country," said Iowa Farm Bureau Director of Research and Commodity Services Dave Miller.  "Americans only spend 10 percent of their disposable income on food - less than those in other countries - and this year families are getting even better deals thanks to lower energy prices and less consumer demand as a result of the slow economy.  They're also getting a great value thanks to the hard work done by our nation's farmers."

"Iowa farmers take pride in nourishing our country with nutritious and affordable food," said Iowa Farm Bureau President and dairy farmer Craig Lang.  "We're constantly working toward eliminating hunger in our country and in our world.  When everyone is fed, our world is stronger, and our farmers have the means to support their own families."
More than 200 volunteer shoppers participated in the American Farm Bureau survey, representing every region in the nation. For more information about the survey, visit http://fb.org.twi.bz/c.

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Moline, IL - The Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its annual "Taste of the Chamber" beginning at 5:15 PM on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at the Isle of Capri located on 1777 Isle Parkway in Bettendorf, IA. This uniquely festive and tasty event allows the very best in food sampling and business networking.

The event will feature tastings from the Chamber member restaurants and caterers. The list of participating vendors, to date, include :

• Fireworks Coffeehouse
• TPC @ Deere Run
• Bridges Catering
• Aramark
• Denny's
• Frieda's European Restaurant
• The Hungry Hobo
• Bass Street Chop House
• The Captain's Table
• Sam's Club
• T.G.I. Fridays
• Two Rivers Massage

The cost of the event is $10 for Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce members and $20 for guests. This event brings together the power of networking with other area business leaders along with an opportunity to sample cuisine from around the area just in time to become aware of new holiday gathering places as well as and catering possibilities for year-end parties and 2010 events.

Since1984, the Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce has been a leading force bringing the power of joint organization and resources together to realize the hopes and needs of member businesses.

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Remodeling and reinvesting over $150,000 to bring Urban Chic to the Quad Cities

Thunder Bay Grille in Davenport is closing at 2PM on Sunday November 8th as they do an extensive remodel throughout the restaurant and re-open to the public on Friday, November 13th.  The most noticeable change will be to the bar area in which a dining room will be removed to triple the current bar's space and creating a new lounge area named "The Birch Bar".  Thunder Bay will add an urban-chic interior - a blend of contemporary style and rustic elements creating a uniquely urban ambiance while remaining comfortably casual.  New furniture, flooring, lighting, and painting will also be completed.

A new menu will be introduced- with an extensive tapas menu featuring items inspired from around the world.  Thunder Bay favorites have stayed, like the Jambalaya and Drunken Steak, but also now added are more woodfired choices and flatbreads.

"We are creating a dynamic, up beat and energetic environment complete with high definition plasma televisions, Wi-Fi in the bar area, a tapas menu, and spiked smoothies.  We are offering a new adventure in dining that is fun", states Mike Whalen, owner of Thunder Bay and Heart of America Restaurants and Inns.  The remodel has slowly been taking place over the past month with the official closing to finish off final construction and conduct extensive training with the staff.

Heart of America is accustomed to making dramatic changes in only a few days - Planted Earth was completely remodeled in only 7 days to re-open as Johnny's Italian Steakhouse in December of 2002.  "We wanted to re-invest in the Quad Cities - this is a great place to live, so we decided to spend our time and money right here and bring even a better dining experience to Davenport - with Thunder Bay favorite menu entrees and now adding over 40 tapas to choose from, you're bound to find one or two that you love", states Whalen.

Thunder Bay is located at I-80 & Brady Street in Davenport, a newly designed website can be viewed at www.thunderbaygrille.com.  To make reservations contact the restaurant at 563-386-2722.

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